Registered Nurse (RN) - Forensics

Foundation Health•Fairbanks, AK

29d•Onsite

About The Position

The Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Emergency Services Department is a state-of-the-art 27-bed facility that is the only designated Trauma Center within 350 miles. The Forensic Nursing team is a vital subunit of the Emergency Services Department. Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE) provide evidence-based, timely, non-judgmental care to victims of trauma and violence, including Intimate Partner Violence, Child Abuse and Neglect, Strangulation, Elder Abuse and Neglect, and Sexual Assault and Abuse. Essential duties include medical-forensic assessments, examinations, patient care, injury description and documentation, and DNA and/or trace evidence collection, per Forensic Nursing Services (FNS) program policies and procedures, medical standing orders, and memorandums of understanding with partnering law enforcement and advocacy agencies. Develops discharge plans of care that address patients’ needs and contain appropriate referrals. Additionally, Forensic Nurses communicate with law enforcement, OCS, and advocacy when appropriate, and provide expert testimony in court when subpoenaed. While working in an acute care environment, this position assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and documents nursing care of acute patients. This position provides care in accordance with organizational policies and standards of professional nursing practice, utilizing the framework for professional nursing practice and development. This position is accountable for the quality of nursing services delivered by self or others under his/her direction. This position utilizes specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skills necessary to assess data, plan, provide, and evaluate care appropriate to the physical and developmental age of assigned patients.

Requirements

Must possess a valid current or temporary Alaska RN license.
Requires the knowledge and skills normally demonstrated by an Associate's degree in nursing.
BLS certification is required.
Requires creative thinking, prioritizing, and flexible problem solving skills.
Ability to perform independent work and make high-judgment, evidence-based decisions
Ability to perform work effectively within a team/group setting
Proficient computer literacy skills
Must demonstrate the ability to respectfully and compassionately communicate with patients, their family members and/or support people, other personnel, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and physicians

Nice To Haves

Professional certification in SANE-A and/or SANE-P preferred, or ability to obtain such within a timeframe to be determined at time of hire.
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Professional certification preferred.
Experience working in an acute care setting within the past 12 months as a Registered Nurse in the specialty area.
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assesses patient physical, psychological, social, spiritual, educational, developmental, cultural, and discharge planning needs.
Reviews patient history and physical with patient/family and assures completion within appropriate timeframe.
Reviews available information obtained by other health care team members.
Reviews diagnostics and laboratory data and reports abnormal results to the physician(s) and other appropriate caregivers.
Completes assessment and reassessments according to patient need and as outlined in policy.
Formulates a plan of care, including the discharge plan, utilizing assessment data and patient, family and health team input.
Initiates a plan of care based on patient-specific needs, assessment data and the medical plan of care.
Plans care in collaboration with members of the multidisciplinary team.
Reviews and revises the plan of care to reflect changing patient needs based on evaluation of the patient's status.
Implements the plan of care through direct patient care, coordination, delegation, and supervision of the activities of the health care team.
Provides care based on physician orders and the nursing plan of care.
Provides care in compliance with policies and procedures, standards of care, and regulatory agency requirements.
Delegates appropriately, and provides nursing supervision in the provision of care to patients by other licensed nurses and other personnel.
Promotes continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for whom care is provided.
Evaluates patient and family response to care and teaching, and revises the plan of care as needed.
Evaluates patient progress towards goals and expected outcomes in collaboration with other health care team members.
Evaluates patient response and the effectiveness of teaching.
Documents assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation in the patient record. Documentation is legible, timely, and in accordance with policy.
Provides care based on the best evidence available, and may participate in research activities within clinical practice.
Participates in unit or facility shared leadership.
Interacts and participates in the education, role development, and orientation of facility personnel, patients, students, families and visitors.
Promotes/supports growth of others by acting as a preceptor or mentor when appropriate.
Contributes to society through activities that lead to excellent patient outcomes through timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and safe care.
Actively participates in the improvement of national nursing quality indicators and outcomes. Such activities may include participating in professional organizations.
In some roles, this position may supervise staff and work flow of the department.
Performs all functions according to established policies, procedures, regulatory and accreditation requirements, as well as applicable professional standards.
Provides all customers of Foundation Health with an excellent service experience by consistently demonstrating core and leader behaviors each and every day.